Even after three decades, Tony Danza still vividly recalls the night Frank Sinatra shouted at him.
“I was performing for him during his televised 80th birthday celebration in 1995,” Danza shared with The Post, surrounded by an array of Sinatra memorabilia in his Upper West Side home.
“At that time, I hardly sang in public—only in the shower, really. Yet, Frank seemed to appreciate my performance, but after it ended, he looked a bit unsteady on those high steps. I reached out to steady him, and he unexpectedly threw his elbow back, nearly hitting me in the jaw,” he recounted.
Sinatra turned towards him, radiating intensity.
“‘Back off! What’s your problem?’ he barked,” Danza remembered, still taken aback. Sinatra’s long-time friend, Jilly Rizzo, reassured him, suggesting he simply take it in stride.
“Jilly whispered, ‘Don’t let it bother you, Tony. That means Frank likes you,’” Danza said.
Attending Danza’s highly popular and often sold-out NYC cabaret show, “Sinatra and Stories, ” will reveal countless stories from days gone by.
Currently, Danza is packing the Cafe Carlyle night after night with performances running through October 2, where he’s accompanied by a four-piece band, singing Sinatra classics while sharing heartwarming tales about his friendship with the iconic singer, also incorporating tap dancing and ukulele interludes.
“I aim to capture the essence of those vintage variety shows, where there’s a host alongside a variety of acts,” Danza explained about his show, which he resurrected due to audience demand.
“In this case, I’m not just the host; I’m also the entire lineup. It’s a delightful blend of everything,” he said.
And why center the show around Sinatra?
“They say to write what you know,” he offered.
You Make Me Feel So Young
Long before the 74-year-old actor found fame in the sitcom “Taxi” in 1978, he was a young boy from Brooklyn, often listening to Sinatra’s songs play throughout their home in East New York.
“My mother introduced me to Frank’s music when I was young and got me excited about him,” Danza recalled.
“Throughout high school and college, I belted out his records just like everyone else.”
After relocating to Long Island as a teenager, Danza pursued boxing and eventually earned a wrestling scholarship to the University of Dubuque in Iowa.
His journey led him to Gleason’s Gym, where Muhammad Ali trained. It was here that a producer spotted him and suggested he pursue acting.
“By some miracle, when I arrived in Hollywood, I found myself in Frank’s circle,” Danza reflected, still in disbelief. “It felt surreal.”
At that point, Sinatra had been retired for years but staged a spectacular comeback in 1974 with the boxing-themed concert “Main Event” at Madison Square Garden.
Come Fly With Me
The careers of Danza and Sinatra intertwined seamlessly—Danza’s film debut, “Cannonball Run II,” in 1983 coincided with Sinatra’s final film appearance.
Eventually, Danza won over the Hoboken legend, overcoming his initial star-struck nerves.
“Whenever I saw him, I’d refer to him as ‘Mr. Sinatra.’ It was tough to call him just Frank,” he admitted.
“He had a unique presence; there was always a hush when he entered a room,” Danza recalled. “Most of the time, I chose to remain silent.”
“But one evening, in a booth, I summoned the courage to say, ‘Uh, Frank?’ He looked back, acknowledged me, and answered.”
Before long, they were enjoying each other’s company, with Danza reminiscing about a particular night by a pool where Sinatra sipped Jack Daniels—the drink famously introduced to him by Humphrey Bogart—and chain-smoked Camels in between swigs.
Feeling bold, Danza queried, “Does drinking and smoking affect your voice?”
Sinatra paused to sip his drink and puff on a cigarette before responding.
“‘I’ve never met a singer worth their salt who didn’t smoke two packs a day,” he casually shrugged.
Frank’s the ‘Boss’
One of Danza’s most memorable moments was introducing his mother to Sinatra back in 1989 on the set of “Who’s the Boss,” where Sinatra, guest-starring, gifted her a handkerchief.
Known for his impatience, cast and crew were surprised by Sinatra’s easygoing demeanor while filming a segment featuring Danza’s character being ejected from a party where Sinatra was set to perform.
Eventually, Danza’s character meets Sinatra while getting a drink at the bar.
“What’s it like to be adored by millions?” Danza’s character asks wide-eyed.
“Nice,” Sinatra replied nonchalantly.
While thousands can’t crowd into the cozy Cafe Carlyle, Danza’s fans continue to show immense appreciation for his current act, resulting in an impressive streak of 24 sold-out performances.
“For a long time, I struggled to get into that venue, and then my manager called me about an opportunity to perform there with less than a month’s notice,” he recalled.
“I asked, ‘Did someone cancel?’ He simply said, ‘Do you want the gig or not?’”
“I still can’t believe that people come to see me. It’s astonishing—walking through the back and seeing everyone packed in. That’s truly affirming,” he confessed. “It genuinely is.”
It Was a Very Good Year
Apart from reveling in his enduring and fruitful career, Danza actively engages with the community through his Stars of Tomorrow Project, an NYC-based initiative that provides mentoring and free classes in acting, singing, dance, and movement for underserved youth.
“I firmly believe we’ve neglected our responsibility to nurture our children,” he stated, taking on a more serious tone.
“It’s vital to offer them positive alternatives rather than distractions that could lead to dangerous paths,” he contended.
Already, many program alumni are thriving, with some even pursuing their dreams on Broadway.
“We have numerous kids who have continued to college,” Danza shared about the initiative, which is gearing up for its third annual benefit at Sheen Center in Greenwich Village on October 14, co-chaired alongside fellow legendary actor Danny DeVito.
Tony’s New York
When he’s not captivating audiences at the Carlyle, here are some of Danza’s go-to favorite spots in New York City.
Patsy’s Italian Restaurant
Danza loves this traditional red-sauce restaurant near Columbus Circle, which has been serving delicious Italian dishes since 1944 and was famously a haunt of Sinatra. “I’ve known the Scognamillo family for years, including Joe and Sal. Frank adored this place, and so do I,” he revealed.
236 W. 56th St.
Manny’s Bistro
Danza went viral on TikTok after performing impromptu sets outside this classic French restaurant known for its live music. “The ambiance is fantastic; and make no mistake, the food is also delicious,” he praised.
225 Columbus Ave.
54 Below
Danza enjoys catching shows at this renowned Midtown cabaret spot, a favorite for Broadway entertainers. “It’s one of the greatest venues; it’s a wonderful place to perform and experience the talent,” he remarked about owner Michael Feinstein, a prominent promoter of the Great American Songbook.
254 W. 54th St.
Gallagher’s Steakhouse
<p“If I’m going on a date, Gallagher’s is my go-to place,” Danza grinned, referring to the iconic restaurant in the Meatpacking District, which was founded by Helen Gallagher, a Ziegfeld girl.
228 W. 52nd St.
Frankie and Johnnie’s Steakhouse
“It’s absolutely fantastic,” Danza said of this other favorite steakhouse, which originally operated as a speakeasy and is preparing to celebrate a centennial next year. “Located right on Restaurant Row, bringing someone here will certainly impress them,” he added.
320 W. 46th St.
Sardi’s
As a Broadway icon, Danza was honored to have his caricature hung on the wall when he played Max Bialystock in the musical The Producers in 2007. “I wrote ‘Fix!’ above my signature; perhaps not the best idea. But it seemed fitting back then,” he chuckled.
234 W. 44th St.
Birdland
When it comes to jazz, Danza gravitates towards Birdland. This legendary music venue, established in 1949 and named after Charlie Parker, has been frequented by jazz greats like Miles Davis and John Coltrane, who continue to be celebrated through its live performances.
315 W. 44th St.
Bemelmans Bar
<p“Remarkably, the client demographic has shifted dramatically here over recent years,” Danza mused about the popular hideaway located in the luxurious Carlyle Hotel. “Now, it’s a blend of everyone, and that younger crowd has made it a hotspot—it’s quite hard to get in!”
35 E. 76th St.
